Have you ever wondered what a Virtual Assistant is? Or maybe you are considering hiring one but have no idea what to look for? Since starting up my own Virtual Assistant and Social Media Management business, I am going to share a special Behind the Scenes Look at Hiring a Virtual Assistant.
In the digital world that we live in, everyone is looking for the easiest way to make money fast. It is hard to get on any social media anymore without seeing at least a few of our friends trying to sell us the latest product or diet fad. The same fad seems to be taking over the small business world with everyone starting to become a Virtual Assistant (VA) or a Social Media Manager (SMM). The issue with this is that everyone has access to social media platforms and most people think that they can manage other people’s accounts because they manage their own.
However, without the experience and knowledge to know what needs to be done in order to attract organic (unpaid) target clients to business pages, they will not be successful. So with so many people claiming to be VA’s and SMM’s, how can a business make sure that they are hiring someone who knows what they are doing? Ask for references and solid results! Whenever I talk to a potential client, I make sure that I am providing them with examples of current work I have done and the results we saw because of it. For example, I created the graphics below for a client after managing their Twitter and Pinterest accounts for two weeks. When I create graphics like this, I share them with potential clients so that they can see some of the results that I have been able to achieve.
(Note: the business name has been changed for privacy reasons.)
Not only are statistics and recommendations important, but also making sure that your personality meshes well with the VA. Take a look at the previous work and see if the VA’s voice is similar to yours. Jump on a call and chat with the potential VA. Do you see yourselves working well together? Do you think they will be able to properly develop your business and it’s vision?
If you like their work, and think they could work well with you, most VA’s offer a trial period which can really help determine if the VA is right for you. I recommend giving a trial period a chance to see how well the two of you can work together.
Are you unsure where to even start looking for a virtual assistant or social media manager? I suggest getting on social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) and searching there. Join a few business related groups on Facebook and let people know that what you are searching for. Jump on Instagram and search a couple hashtags for Virtual Assistants. Or ask other companies if they have any recommendations for you (more businesses use VAs then you think!)
Have another suggestion on what to look for in a VA? Let me know if the comments below!
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